Lock device for securing an apertured member

ABSTRACT

A flat cylindrical housing having a channel in its flat surface for fitting over abutting flange ends connected to the members to be locked together, the flanges having an aligned aperture therein. A lock cylinder having a shaft with retaining means thereon is situated in a passageway through the housing transverse to the channel. The shaft fits within the aperture and the retaining means, under control of a key, holds the housing on to the flange ends. The same locking device may be used to lock a hasp which passes over a staple.

United States Patent 1191 Randel [11] 3,817,062 June 18, 1974 1 LOCKDEVICE FOR SECURING AN APERTURED MEMBER [76] Inventor: Mortimer A.Randel, 21 Primrose Ln., Valley Stream, NY. 11580 [22] Filed: Oct. 2,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 293,758

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.244.465 April 17.

1972, Pill. No 1769,8211

[521 US. Cl 70/11, 70/32, 70/371 [51] Int. Cl E05b 65/48, E05b 67/26[58] Field of Search 70/23, 21 1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.95l,4l8 3/1934 Jacobi v 11 1. 70/360 2493366 H1950 Simcich 1 1 70/259 X 2.677261 5/1954 Jacobi70/32 X 2,999,377 9/1961 Raye 70/32 3,478,548 11/1969 Finck 70/3973529452 9/1970 Rae 70/360 x FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 323.7411/1930 Great Britain 70/32 822,359 11/193] Germany 1. 70/33 303.13111/1932 ltaly 711 32 Primary E.\'aminerRobert L. Wolfe Arlorney Agent,or Firm-Leonard H. King 5 7] ABSTRACT A flat cylindrical housing havinga channel in its flat surface for fitting over abutting flange endsconnected to the members to be locked together, the flanges having analigned aperture therein. A lock cylinder having a shaft with retainingmeans thereon is situated in a passageway through the housing transverseto the channel. The shaft fits within the aperture and the retainingmeans, under control of a key, holds the housing on to the flange ends.The same locking device may be used to lock a hasp which passes over astaple.

1 Claim, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuu 18 m4 3 817" 062 sum 1 BF 3 LOCKDEVICE FOR SECURING AN APERTURED MEMBER This application is acontinuation-impart of my copending application Ser. No. 244,465, filedApr. 17, 1972 and now US. Pat. No. 3,769,821.

This invention relates to a lock device for apertured hasps and, moreparticularly, to a lock which fastens together two apertured flangesconnected respectively to a cabinet and a door pivoted at one endthereof, such cabinets being typically used in coin-operated vendingmachines. The apparatus may also be used on a hasp and staple such asemployed to lock doors on trucks and building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of coin operated vending machineshas become widespread. However, the major problem in business operatingsuch machines is the frequent robberies associated with them. Sincethese machines generally remain unattended, their internal bankarrangement collects large sums of money. Because of their widespreaduse, it becomes very difficult to remove the funds at frequentintervals. As a result, these machines are a prime target for thieves.

In order to discourage and prevent thieves from breaking into thevending machines and removing the coin boxes, the machines are generallyconstructed of an extremely strong type of material such as steel.Furthermore, the machines are generally bolted or firmly implanted to afixed member such as a wall or the ground to prevent the entire removalof the machine itself. However, the basic difficulty in securing thesemachines relates to the locking arrangement closing the walled door onto the cabinet. Since the walled door is generally pivoted on to thecabinet at one end, the locking arrangement is placed at the oppositeend of the pivot.

Some of the prior art locking arrangements use external hasp latchingmeans or internal locks, either of which could be forced open by properapplication of a pry bar or jimmy between the door and the stationarycabinet. Other more complex locking arrangements, although providingmore complicated and expensive locking devices, have similarly proved tobe of little resistance to well equipped thieves. Many vending machinespresently in use have a pair of L-shaped steel flanges wherein one sideof each of the flanges is connected to the walled door and the cabinetrespectively, while the other ends abut each other and extendperpendicularly outward from the vending machine. An aperture is placedthrough the abutting ends of the two flanges and a standard pad lock isinserted within the apertures of the abutting ends. While this type oflocking arrangement has reduced the cost of the locking device and iseasily fitted on to existing vending machines, the security of thevending machine is completely dependent upon the strength of the lock.Since pad locks have a steel U-shaped link which passes through theapertures, it is possible to cut the link with a bolt cutter and openthe vending machine.

A commonly employed fastening device is the conventional hasp andstaple. The present device may be locked to the staple and therebysecure the hasp. The lock means may protect the staple mounting plate.One embodiment disclosed combines the hasp and lock in an integraldevice.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a lock devicewhich avoids the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lock device suitablefor closing cabinets having a pivoted walled door which is to be sealedon to the cabinet.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a lock device foruse with vending machines.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a lock device foruse in retaining together two members, each having an L-shaped flangeconnected thereto, with one end of each flange securably mounted on toone of the members, respectively, and the other end of both flangesabutting each other and having an aperture therethrough.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a lock devicehaving a housing which encases a lock and the abutting members beinglocked together.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lock device forfirmly holding together abutting apertured flanges wherein a shaftpasses through the apertures and when locked said shaft rotates withinthe aperture and holds said flanges from separating.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a lock devicehaving a bolt type lock which passes through apertured openings inabutting ends of flanges to be securably locked together, wherein thebolt engages a threaded receptacle at the other end of the aperture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the lock device of thisinventloncomprises a flat cylindrical member constructed of a solid, durablystrong material such as steel. An approximately rectangular channelsection similar to a trough, cut in one flat surface partially throughthe cylinder, is constructed. A longitudinal passageway, commencing fromthe circular wall, extends substantially perpendicular to the channeland continues through the cylinder to slightly past the channel. Acylindrical lock is inserted within the passageway and is held withinthe passageway in such a manner that it can move in a single directionalplane within the passageway, but is prevented from being completelyremoved from the flat cylindrical member. In'one embodiment, the lock isa quarter turn latch having a transverse latching pin at the end of thecylindrical lock and the movement of the lock within the passageway isin an axial direction. In another embodiment, the lock is a bolt typelock having a theaded portion at the end of the bolt and the movement ofthe lock within the passageway is also axially directed. In afurtherembodiment, the lock is a quarter turn lock having a shaped portion atthe end of the lock shaft and the movement of the lock within thepassageway is in a circular direction.

In operation, the channel in the flat cylindrical member is placed overabutting ends of adjacent flanges having an aligned aperture throughtheir abutting ends. The lock is then arranged to have the lock shaftpass through the aperture. With the appropriate key inserted into thelock, the lock is turned to hold the flanges securably together. In oneembodiment, the turning of the lock will latch the transverse pin acrossthe aperture, thereby locking it into place. In the other embodiment,turning the lock will engage the threaded end of the bolt into athreaded receiving socket at the other end of the flat cylindricalmember. In the further embodiment, turning the lock will place theshaped end of the shaft in a wide position preventing removal.

The invention will be more fully appreciated together with features,objects and advantages thereof in the following more fully descriptiveexplanation of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing which forms an integral part thereof.

In the various figures of the drawing, like reference charactersdesignate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a cabinethaving the locking arrangement in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned pictorial view, partially cut away, ofthe locking arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a partly cut away sectional elevational view of the lockingarrangement in accordance with the embodiment of this invention shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially cut away sectional bottom view of the lockingdevice in accordance with the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the lock cylinder in ac-' cordance withthe embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partly cut away sectional elevational view of an alternativeembodiment of the locking arrangement in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are partly cut away sectional bottom views of afurther embodiment of the lock device in accordance with this invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are end views of the flanges showing the method oflocking in accordance with the further embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the flanges to be held together;

FIG. 12 is pictorial view of the lock cylinder in accordance with thefurther embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of a lock mechanism applied to aconventional hasp and staple;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the lock mechanism just prior toapplication to a hasp and staple with the open position of the haspshown in phantom;

FIG. 15 is a partially broken away top plan view of a lock with integralhasp;

FIG. 16 is a side partially broken away elevational view of the lockdevice of FIG. 15 with a key inserted. A portion of a conventionalstaple mount is shown in phantom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown apictorial view of a vending machine 10 having a door 12 pivotallyconnected to a cabinet 14 (hinges not shown). The cabinet 14 is anchoredto a wall 16 by means of anchor 18. The door 12 is secured on to thecabinet 14 by means of the locking arrangements shown generally at 20.The locking arrangement 20 consists of a flange 22 securably connectedon to the door portion and a flange 24 securably connected on to thecabinet portion. The lock device of this invention is shown at 38. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flanges are typically mounted respectivelyon to the steel cabinet and door by means of rivets 26 which passthrough holes 28 arranged in the L-shaped flanges 22 and 24. Typically,the flanges may be secured on to the cabinet and door by furtherincluding a backing plate (not shown) provided on the inside of thecabinet and door, respectively, wherein the rivets 26 would passthrough, sequentially, the flanges 22 and 24, the steel cabinet or door,and the backing plate. Other fastening means could be used in place ofthe rivets, as is well known in the art. Typically, bolts could be usedof the round head type with nuts so that no removal could be achieved bymeans of tools.

The flanges 22, 24 have abutting sections, respectively, 32, 34extending perpendicularly outward from the surface of the cabinet. Theabutting ends of the flanges meet at approximately the juncture of thedoor and the cabinet. An aperture of generally rectangular shape isinserted within the outwardly extending ends of the flanges 22, 24, sothat when the door is in a closed position, the abutting apertures arealigned.

The lock device shown generally at 38 comprises a flat, cylindricalmember 40 constructed of solid material such as steel and being, forexample, 3 inches in diameter and l /2 inches in thickness. Referring toFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, an approximately rectangular channel section 42 ismilled out of one flat surface of the member 40 and extends partiallythrough the thickness of the flat, cylindrical member 40. A longitudinalpassageway 44 substantially perpendicular to the channel is drilled fromthe circular wall extending through the solid member 40 until it reachesthe milled-out channel 42 and then continues on the other side of themilled-out section partially extending further into the steel member 40.

A lock cylinder, as best shown in FIG. 5, is inserted within thepassageway 44. The lock includes a shaft portion 46, having a plunger 48extending therefrom and including a transverse latch 50 securablyconnected to the end of the plunger 48. The transverse latch 50 may bekeyed on to the plunger 48, held by means of a pin, or any other methodas is well known in the art. A keyway 52 extends longitudinally alongthe shaft surface 46 extending from the outer end thereof and continuingthrough most of the length of the shaft surface but not reaching theopposite end thereof. A pin 54, securably connected to the flat,cylindrical member 40, extends into the keyway 52 thereby permitting theshaft portion 46 to slide within the passageway 44, however, preventingthe shaft portion 46 from completely sliding out of the flat cylindricalmember The lock itself is a quarter-tum latch type lock controlled by akey, shown at 56. When the key is turned, the transverse latch 50 canrotate around the shaft section 46. As shown in the figures, the key 56is of the type which has a round tang as in the Ace type lock.

In operation, the door 12 of the cabinet 10 is closed so that theabutting ends of the flanges connected respectively to the door and thecabinet body are adjacent to each other. The lock cylinder including theshaft portion 46, the plunger 48 and transverse latch 50 are extractedfrom the flat cylindrical member 40 to.

the fullest extent permitted by the fixed pin 54. The flat cylindricalmember 40 is then placed over the abutting ends of the flanges wherebythe abutting ends of the flanges are enclosed within the milled-outchannel 42. The lock cylinder is then pushed into the member 40 so thatit slides along the passageway 44 as the pin 54 slides along the keyway52. The transverse latch 50 is shaped to generally correspond to theaperture shape in the flanges. In its open position, its shape iscongruous with the shape of the aperture. In its closed position, itsshape is transverse to the aperture shape. When the lock is open, thelatch will, therefore, pass through the apertures. When closed, thelatch cannot pass therethrough. The key 56 is then inserted into thelock cylinder 46 and as the key is turned to lock the device, thetransverse latch 50 turns 90 from its open position to its closedposition, thereby crossing transverse to the aperture 36 and locking theflanges together.

To remove the device, the key 56 is again inserted into the lockcylinder 46, the transverse latch 50 is rotated 90 back to its openposition with its shape congruous to the aperture, and the entire lockcylinder 46, together with the plunger 48 and transverse latch 50, isslid out of the member 40 until pin 54 stops the movement. At thatpoint, the end of the transverse latch 50 is completely removed from theapertures in the flanges (FIG. 4) and the entire member 40 can beremoved from the ends of the flanges. In order to facilitate easyslidability of the lock cylinder, 46, once the lock has been opened, itis possible to place a compression spring abutting the shaft portion 46and mounted on to the member 40, whereby as soon as the lock is opened,the spring will automatically slide the cylinder 46 outward from themember 40 thereby extracting the transverse latch 40 from the aperturedflanges.

It will be appreciated that when the lock device is positioned over theends of the flanges, the entire ends of the flanges are enclosed withinthe member 40. The lock cylinder is likewise completely enclosed withinthe member 40 when in a closed position. As a result, there are no partsof the locking assembly which canbe pried open, or sawed off. In orderto break open the cabinet, it would be necessary to cut through thesteel cabinet itself or to rip off the entire flanges from the steelcabinet.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternative embodiment of thisinvention. As shown, the plunger 60 extending from the shaft portion,has its end threaded. In this embodiment the lock is of the slide bolttype, whereby as the key is turned in the lock cylinder, the bolt turns.The end of the passageway drilled through the member is internallythreaded at 66 to receive the bolt as it extends through the aperturesin the flanges to the other side of the channel 42.

In operating the lock device shown in FIG. 6, the member 40 is placedover the ends of the flanges 32, 34 and the cylinder 62 is slid alongthe passageway with the pin 54 engaging the keyway 52 until the edge ofthe bolt 64 reaches the threaded portion of the passageway at 66. Thekey is then inserted and as the key is turned, the bolt threads into thereceiving portion 66 and engages therein, thereby securing the flangestogether.

Referring to FIGS. 7-12, there is shown a further embodiment of theinvention. The flat cylindrical member 40 has the channel 42 milledpartly therethrough from its flat surface, and has a longitudinalpassageway 44 extending substantially perpendicular to the channelcommencing from the circular wall and extending through the solid memberuntil slightly past the channel, as heretofore described in connectionwith the other embodiments.

The cylindrical lock, as is best seen in FIG. 12, includes a shaft 70having a circumferential keyway 72 passing through a quadrant of theshaft near one end thereof. A pin connected to the passageway 44 of thesolid member 40 is positioned to engage the keyway,

permitting the shaft a quarter turn rotation within the passageway andsimultaneously preventing any axial movement of the shaft.

At the opposite end of the shaft, flattened sections 76, 78 are formedon opposite sides of the circular portion and extending longitudinallyat least through part of the length of the shaft. The resultant shape atthe end 80 represents an elongated four-sided figure with two sidesstraight and parallel and two sides opposingly curved. A protruding stem82 extends from the end 80.

The cylindrical lock is positioned within the passageway 44 such thatthe stem 82 fits into the end of the passageway on the other side of thechannel. The passageway can typically have a reamed hole 84 which snuglyholds the stem 82 while permitting it to rotate. The cylindrical lock issituated such that the shaped portion thereof transversely crosses thechannel 40 and is rotatably held securely on both sides of the channel.

The flanges for use with the lock device of this embodiment haveapertures whose shape includes a hole 88 and a keyed opening 90extending from the outer edge of the flanges 92, to the hole. The shapeat the end of the cylindrical lock is such that when the lock is in anopen position the straight portions 76, 78 can slide within the keyedpart of the aperture 90. When the device is in a closed position, thecurved portion of the shaft fits snugly within the hole 88. Since theshape of the end of the shaft is elongated, when in a closed positionthe shaft cannot be moved directly upward. Once the shaft is in a closedposition within the aperture, it must be rotated 90 to be removed.

In operation with the lock device in an open position it is placed overthe abutting ends of the flanges 32, 34. In the open position thestraight portions 76, 78 slide into the aperture until it is within thehole as shown in FIG. 10. The lock is then closed by means of the key 56whereby the shaft is rotated 90 such that the shaft is now in itstransverse position as shown in FIG. 9. The flanges are then heldtogether by the solid enclosure 40 and the lock device cannot be removedtherefrom. To remove the lock device, the key is inserted and the lockis turned to its open position. The lock device can then be lifted offthe flanges with the shaft passing through the keyed section 90 of theaperture.

In FIGS. 13-16 there is shown the lock mechanism 40' applied to a hasp104, and staple 114. The cylinder 46 is so oriented that shaft 48 willpass through the opening in staple 114. It will be noted that-the staplein FIG. 14 is rotated 90 with respect to the staple of FIGS. 15 and 16.A convenient method of making the device is to drill a bore in member 45to provide a chamber 121. Pins 119 are then inserted from the bottom ofthe lock in bores 123. Bolt member 48' is provided with a T shaped head125 which in the erect position shown in FIG. 16 will pass between pins119 while in the locked position shown in FIG. 15 is transverse to thepins thereby locking bolt 48' in place.

The lock may be intergal with the hasp as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Thisarrangement is particularly suited for use in application such as trucksas the lock is captive and cannot be lost. Ears 106 shown in phantom inFIG. 14 and 106' shown in FIG. 16 hingedly secure hasp 104 and 120respectively in theopening 108 formed in base 112.

The cylinder is slidingly retained by said screw 127 which permitsreplacement of the cylinder mechanisms at any time that the lock isremoved from the installation.

Although the lock assembly has been shown as being used with a vendingmachine cabinet, it will be appreciated that the same lock apparatus canbe used with any type of cabinet having a pivoted or movable sectionwhich is to be secured to a frame. Such forms of cabinets include by wayof example filing cabinets and clothes closets. Furthermore, the lockassembly could also be used in connection with any door which is to besecurably connected to a door frame. ln this case, one flange would beconnected to the door itself and the other flange connected to the doorjamb with the ends of the flanges extending perpendicularly outward fromthe door. It will also be appreciated that although heretofore there hasbeen described flanges of L-shape, other shaped flanges could also beused. For example, in one type of device the edge of the door may beclose to the front of the cabinet whereby one L-shaped flange would beconnected to the cabinet frame while a flat flange would be connected tothe door. The ends of the flange abutting together would be apertured sothat in a closed position the apertures are aligned. An importantapplication of the apparatus is for locking truck body doors.

Referring again to FIG. 13 it will be observed that lock 40 is providedwith a skirt portion 111 which is contoured to fit over base member 110thereby eliminating an opening into which a pry bar may be inserted toforce the lock.

This device can also be used to secure two ends of a chain if one endlink is passed through the other end link and the lock attached to thefirst mentioned end link.

While not shown, the lock may be provided with a spring which istensioned by the bolt or lock cylinder in the locked position and whichwill move the bolt to the unlocked position when the key is turned toits unlocked position. This spring may be a coil spring surrounding thelock cylinder and fixed thereto or a leaf or coil spring in chamber 121against which member 125 seats.

While the best embodiments of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A locking device for retaining two adjacent members in a closedposition, said locking member comprising:

a. a first member having means for attachment to one of the adjacentmember and having a protruding portion with an aperture therein;

b. a staple member extending from said first member and defining anaperture;

c. a hasp hingedly secured to said second member;

d. a housing having a top and bottom surface and a wall enclosuretherebetween carried by said hasp;

e. a channel formed into one of said surfaces extending partiallythrough said housing and adapted to fit over said staple member;

f. a passageway in said housing extending transverse to said channelfrom said wall enclosure to a point past said channel;

g. a key controlled lock having a shaft longitudinally movable withrespect to said passageway; and

h. holding means carried by said housing for preventing said lock fromremoval from said passageway; and

wherein, when said housing is placed over said protruding staple portionin said closed position, said longitudinal shaft is situated within theaperture in said staple and is under control of said key and said shaftis withdrawn from the staple in the open position.

1. A locking device for retaining two adjacent members in a closedposition, said locking member comprising: a. a first member having meansfor attachment to one of the adjacent member and having a protrudingportion with an aperture therein; b. a staple member extending from saidfirst member and defining an aperture; c. a hasp hingedly secured tosaid second member; d. a housing having a top and bottom surface and awall enclosure therebetween carried by said hasp; e. a channel formedinto one of said surfaces extending partially through said housing andadapted to fit over said staple member; f. a passageway in said housingextending transverse to said channel from said wall enclosure to a pointpast said channel; g. a key controlled lock having a shaftlongitudinally movable with respect to said passageway; and h. holdingmeans carried by said housing for preventing said lock from removal fromsaid passageway; and wherein, when said housing is placed over saidprotruding staple portion in said closed position, said longitudinalshaft is situated within the aperture in said staple and is undercontrol of said key and said shaft is withdrawn from the staple in theopen position.